Mahatma Gandhi Day celebrated in Hawaii

Gandhi International Institute for Peace (GIIP) celebrated its 19th annual Mahatma Gandhi Day and International Day of Nonviolence at Mahatma Gandhi statue located outside of Honolulu Zoo in Waikiki on Oct 2.

This year’s event to celebrate Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday with the theme of “World Peace” was co-sponsored by the City and County of Honolulu. Suzanne Chun Oakland, former Hawaii Senator, was the keynote speaker, according to a media release.

The event included Hawaiian blessing, Indian spiritual invocation, Royal Hawaiian Band, cultural dances, meditation, yoga, sound healing and speeches by Hawaii’s prominent community leaders.

GIIP was founded by Dr. Raj Kumar on September 11, 2001 to raise awareness about nonviolence and peace after the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers in New York.

READ: New Mahatma Gandhi statue unveiled in New York (January 24, 2024)

The mission of this charitable organization is to provide information, consultation, education and training to resolve conflict in a nonviolent manner that decreases violence in all its forms and leads to harmony in family, school, workplace, society, and inspire humanity to expand its consciousness to create peace on earth, according to the release.

For the past 19 years, GIIP, which is based in Honolulu, has continued its work through activities supporting Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of cultivating the spirit of nonviolence and peace in the hearts of men, women and children around the world.

In October 2007, GIIP organized a World Peace walk from Magic Island in Ala Moana to Kapiolani Park in Waikiki to unite people from different religions and encourage them to live in peace and harmony.

Thanks to legislation initiated by GIIP, Hawaii became the first state in the nation to proclaim Oct 2 as “Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi Day” on April 9, 2015.

GIIP has participated in various peace events organized by Honpa Hongwanji Betsuin, Pacific Justice and ReconciliationCenter, MOA Wellness Center, Families of Peace and most recently, Buddha Peace Festival, according to the release.